[NU Sports] 4-0 start this year

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Season tix arrived yesterday ... it's that time of year again!!!

A bit surprised at the lack of love from the preseason mags for NU - I'd have thought someone would at least see our schedule, what we have back and like us as a sleeper. Oh well, all the better to surprise them all.

It actually seems like the Big Ten overall has been relegated to Big Least status thanks to the Buckeyes' last two BCS title games, which really doesn't seem fair. I'd still match our depth team for team with anyone this side of the SEC. Some big September games for respect this year besides the big OSU-USC game (Oregon visits Purdue, Oregon State at PSU, Wisky at Fresno State, Pitt at Iowa, Illini-Mizzou, MSU at Cal and of course the Wolverines and F'ing Irish.

We lack that big game, but do play two BCS league schools in Duke and Syracuse and as we saw last year, that 4-0 start is crucial (and elusive). Gotta get that start.

Other than the Michigan game being late (best to catch them early), I do like our schedule this year. OSU's the clear favorite, but we skip the two top teams after the Bucks in PSU and Wisconsin and get the next toughest foes - MSU and Illinois - at home. Winning at Iowa and the NC schedule would make that Spartan game huge. Let's hope we get there.

One other key game ... Purdue. I'll have more in the annual preview coming soon, but since NU rose to the "national scene" in 1995, we're .500 or better against all but four teams in the Big Ten. The Big Three are to be expected, but the fourth is wily Joe Tiller. Purdue has had our number for awhile and will likely be one of our contenders to rise out of the mid-pack for a strong season. That game in Evanston could be a big one when it comes to bowl position.

But overall I'm as optimistic for this season as I've been in a long time (and that worries me a bit :) ) - I think we'll see some improvement on defense and should be darn near unstoppable on offense if everyone stays healthy. This is Fitz' year to join his mentors Barnett and Walker and lead us to a bowl game (and this time a win!).

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!